Jun 25 2009
A Roti is a type of pancake filled with curry, or used as bread to mop up all the curry juices. It is similar to a tortilla but more flavorful. Roti may be used as a wrapper for lamb or vegetarian curries to make a South African version of the burrito.
Jun 13 2009
This chicken dish is very popular in South Africa. There are many fast food restaurants that specialize in peri peri (piri-piri) chicken. If you’ve never tried this famous marinated chicken, get ready for a flavor sensation.
May 02 2009
While serving a congregation in South Africa, I became acquainted with a fish called snoek, which actually has no equivalent in North America. However, I have found that smoked Lake Superior whitefish is an excellent substitute. This is an excellent brunch dish.
Mar 07 2009
This sosaties kebab recipe is a multi-day project, in that the ingredients require marinating for 2 or 3 days, which gives it such a wonderful flavor. Still, this is an easy recipe and a sure pleaser. It just takes a little planning.
Jan 25 2009
This lamb shank recipe is mostly of Moroccan origin. However, it has a few surprises. The addition of Chinese five spice seasoning adds some complexity and the use of Israeli pearl couscous makes the disk less grainy than traditional couscous dishes. The little apricot pieces add both color and a pleasant sweetness which enhances the lamb’s flavor.
Jan 05 2009
Durban, South Africa’s location on the Indian Ocean makes fish and seafood the natural local favorite. In addition, its large Indian population, dating back to Colonial days, introduced an exciting arrays of curries and masalas which have become a local staple. Although the varieties of fish in South Africa are not necessarily available in North America, it is possible to duplicate the wonderful flavors and aromas of South African fish curry.
Dec 15 2008
This recipe is very typical of Moroccan Jewish cooking. The flavor of fresh lemons, combined with olive oil and black olives makes for a bright and memorable dish. You will want to prepare this again and again. If you would like to make a more authentic version of this dish, substitute preserved lemons.
Dec 07 2008
In Durban, South Africa, many fast food restaurants serve whole chickens which have been split and flattened, then cooked over an open flame. The method of flattening the chicken is call spatchcock. This method of preparation makes the chicken look like it was run over by a truck However, all joking aside, this method works well both for marinating and then for cooking the chicken in a shorter time than normal barbecuing.
Dec 03 2008
In the U.S., oxtails are not such a common meat. Most cooks have no idea what to do with them. They are used mostly in soups. While in South Africa, I learned what a flavorful dish can be created using oxtails as the basis of a curry. This is one of my personal favorite combinations.
Dec 02 2008
This is one of my favorite South African recipes. It is very simple and very delicious. What could be better than that? Serve it with rice, because there’s a lot of flavorful gravy.
Dec 01 2008
This is a spring vegetable stew served at Passover in Algeria. The artichoke and fennel combination is served as a salad in Tunisia, minus the celery root and with less garlic, but with the addition of harissa.
Nov 21 2008
Elsewhere on this recipe Web site, I have written about the South African affinity for curries. This hotpot recipe combines both sweet and savory ingredients into a delicious Chicken curry. It is also very easy to prepare. Continue Reading »
Oct 22 2008
This exceptional garlic fish recipe comes from South Africa. It may be simple, but the flavor is fabulous. The marinade contains a lot of garlic, but because the garlic is cooked for a long time the smell is not overpowering. Fresh fish may be used instead of frozen. Portuguese garlic fish will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, and it can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Continue Reading »
Oct 16 2008
This recipe is a typical South African Malay Curry. The first Malay people in South Africa were brought as slaves from what is today Indonesia. As a result of the influence of the Malay and West Asians from the Indian sub-continent who came later, many curry dishes are popular in South Africa.
Oct 06 2008
While living in South Africa, I became familiar with Peri Peri seasoning, a spice introduced by the Portuguese sailors and settlers. Peri Peri is a truly distinctive garlic hot sauce. In South Africa, it is especially popular as a marinade for chicken, but it is also excellent for fish tacos. As a transplanted southern Californian, where Baja California fish tacos are popular, as a frequent visitor to Hawaii, where Mahi Mahi is in abundance, and as a former resident of South Africa, this dish combines the best of three of my worlds.
